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Economic modelling and evaluation to support future mental health reforms
The National Mental Health Commission (the Commission) has engaged Monash University to deliver the most comprehensive economic modelling and evaluation of mental health interventions undertaken in Australia.
Date published:
This work builds on the Commission’s core function of providing independent, evidence informed advice to government.
The project will take place over the next 18 months. It will contribute to future investment decisions by providing a clearer and stronger evidence base to guide future planning and reform.
The project aims to show which mental health services deliver the biggest benefits and where future government investment should be directed.
CEO David McGrath said, ‘This project will strengthen the economic evidence we need to better understand a broad range of mental health interventions and which priority interventions would deliver the strongest outcomes for people and communities across Australia.’
‘Making our system more effective and more accountable for public funding is an important focus, especially as governments start to shape the next National Agreement on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.’
This project reflects the important role of the Commission in ensuring Australia’s mental health system continues to advance to meet our community needs - to improve lives and to provide people with the confidence that the help they need will be there when they reach for it.
Project lead Professor Cathy Mihalopoulos, from Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, said the project will identify cost-effective opportunities to improve the mental health of the Australian community.
‘We know people in the mental health system often struggle to get the care they need, so investigating efficiencies and improvements is critical,’ Professor Mihalopoulos said.
‘Policy makers and service planners have real challenges in ensuring that the available public funds are spent to best address the needs of those both using the system as well as those who need care and are not currently accessing it.'
This project will generate high quality evidence to guide ongoing national mental health reforms, while strengthening reporting, monitoring and accountability across the system.
The approach aligns with the Productivity Commission’s recommendationsfor greater understanding about the effectiveness of mental health services, and greater accountability for spending.
The project will be delivered in two phases:
phase 1 will map existing evidence, identify gaps, and set out a modelling plan for priority mental health interventions not currently backed by strong economic evaluation
phase 2 will undertake detailed economic modelling of selected interventions, assessing their cost effectiveness and long term social and economic impact. It will also suggest implications of the findings for future design of the mental health system.
Initial findings are expected later this year, with the final report to be delivered in 2027.
The Commission acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters on which we live, work and learn.
Diversity
The Commission is committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. The Commission welcomes all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lived Experience
We acknowledge the individual and collective contributions of those with a lived and living experience of mental ill-health and suicide, and those who love, have loved and care for them. Each person’s journey is unique and a valued contribution to Australia’s commitment to mental health suicide prevention systems reform.
